Facts About Ellora Caves

One of the biggest and the most impressive rock temple complexes in the world, Ellora caves are a group of temples that were built between the 5th and the 10th centuries AD and also happen to be a World Heritage Site. These temples are elaborately decorated with paintings and intricate rock carvings that attract tourists from around the world. Ellora caves are one of the best specimens of rock-cut architecture in India. They are situated at a distance of approximately 30 km from Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra. The caves represent one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the world. Of the 34 famous caves at Ellora, caves 1 to 12 belong to Buddhism, 13 to 29 are Brahmanical (Hindu) caves and the rest - caves 30 to 34 are Jaina (Jain). In case you want to know more about Ellora caves, make use of the fun and interesting facts provided below.

Fast Facts

Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Built In: 5th-10th Century AD

Dynasty: Rashtrakuta

Highlight: Largest rock monastic temple complex in the world, World Heritage Site

Other names: ‘Verul Leni’, ‘Ellooru’

Interesting & Fun Facts About Ellora Caves

Ellora caves are locally known as ‘Verul Leni’.

The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) at Ellora boasts of being the largest single monolithic excavation in the world.

Ellora caves have been hewn out of the volcanic basaltic formation of Maharashtra, known as ‘Deccan Trap’.

The caves are datable from circa 6th-7th century A.D. to 11th-12th century AD.

The hills that have served as the venue of Ellora caves form a part of the Sahyadri ranges of the Deccan. These ranges date back to Cretaceous era of the Geological time scale (about 65 million years ago).

There is inscriptional evidence related to Rashtrakuta Dynasty, on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15.

The earliest Buddhist cave is Cave 6, which was constructed from 630-700.

The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) is attributed to Krishna I (c. 757-83 A.D.), the successor and uncle of Rashtrakuta Dantidurga.

Caves 1 to 10 and Cave 21 (Ramesvara) are generally attributed to the Kalachuris of Mahismati.

Brahmanical caves and two Buddhist caves (caves 11 and 12) are attributed to the Rashtrakuta times.

The style of execution and fragmentary inscriptions of the Jaina caves hint to their origin being post the reign of Rashtrakutas.

Ellora caves are open from sunrise to sunset all days of the week, except, Tuesday.

The Great Kailasa is a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex, built to resemble Mount Kailasa - the abode of Lord Shiva.

Ellora caves, in combination with Ajanta caves, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hindu caves were constructed during the Kalachuri period from the 6th century to the end of the 8th century. Most of these temples contained scriptures and wall carvings depicting the wedding rituals of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.